Detoxification is generally the very first step in getting off drugs. It allows an individual to be in a supervised environment while they go through withdrawal symptoms for drugs and/or alcohol. There are different types of detoxification. Theyrange from drug-free to medically supervised. A typical mistake that quite a few addicts make is to believe that detox is sufficient to kick their habit. This is rarely the case. All detox does is get someone through the withdrawal when they stop using. It is always recommended that detox be followed up with some type of treatment plan to learn the root of why a person was using drugs in the first place.